In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor speaks with Jordan Lees, a lived experience expert and research volunteer who has worked with the National Institute for Health and Care Research Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration.

They discuss the importance of public and patient involvement in mental health research and the crucial role lived experience plays in shaping meaningful, impactful studies. The conversation also explores Jordan’s experience volunteering for a clinical trial, offering insight into what participation is really like and why it matters.

Jordan reflects on the challenges of developing new interventions, highlighting the gaps that still exist in mental health treatment and the need for research that is driven by the voices of those directly affected.

Season Four of MQ Open Mind is supported by Tiberone Technologies www.tiberone.com

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor interviews Professor Kam Bhui, a leading expert in public mental health and policy at the University of Oxford.

They explore how structural inequalities impact mental health care, particularly for marginalised groups, and discuss the role of adverse childhood experiences in shaping long-term mental health outcomes.

The conversation also delves into the intersection of public mental health and policy, highlighting the need for systemic changes to create more equitable access to care.

Kam shares insights from his research on how mental health services can be redesigned to better address these inequalities and the importance of integrating mental health into broader public health policies.

Season Four of MQ Open Mind is supported by Tiberone Technologies www.tiberone.com

In this episode, Professor Rory O’Connor interviews Prof Willem Kuyken, a research clinical psychologist and author from the University of Oxford.

They discuss Willem’s journey into mental health research and why he focuses specifically on mindfulness and its benefits for mental health. The conversation explores key findings from his studies on Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and the impact it has on young people's mental health.

Willem also shares insights from his work on whether mindfulness-based approaches could potentially help tackle structural inequalities in mental health.

Season Four of MQ Open Mind is supported by Tiberone Technologies www.tiberone.com